Aylesbury MP criticises HS2 Ltd over 'unwanted railway'

Aylesbury MP Rob Butler has strongly criticised HS2 Ltd for what he calls their broken promises to local residents and businesses. HS2 have denied the claims.

High Speed 2 (HS2) is a construction project for a new high speed rail line between London and Manchester via Birmingham, allowing trains to run at over 200mph, thus cutting journey times as well as increasing capacity.

The route runs through North Buckinghamshire and since construction began over three years ago many residents and businesses in the region have been negatively impacted, sparking multiple protests by local activists.

Speaking during Transport Questions in the House of Commons on Thursday, Mr Butler said: “Over the last few weeks, contractors for HS2 Ltd have brought yet more disruption and, frankly, despair to my constituents, especially in Stoke Mandeville and Wendover.

“They have misled property owners, they've gone back on reassurances and they've started work for which they have no permission, which has had to be halted. Will the Minister for HS2 please remind HS2 Ltd that its pledge to be a good neighbour isn't just a slogan, it demands action?”

Minister for HS2, Andrew Stephenson MP, replied by saying he was “more than happy to relay the message to HS2 Ltd”.

Rob Butler later added: “Time after time, HS2 Ltd has promised to do the right thing by local people. Time after time, it has failed to stick to its word.

“I’m glad the minister recognises the HS2 Ltd and its contractors have a duty to residents and businesses impacted by the construction of this unwanted railway, and I look forward to speaking directly to the CEO of HS2 to ensure he hears the message loud and clear.”

In 2010, HS2 was estimated to cost around £31 billion. By 2019, that had increased to approximately £100 billion.

The increased costs were one of the reasons that most of the eastern leg of the original design, running from East Midlands Parkway to Leeds, was scrapped in November 2021.

The London-Birmingham stretch of the project is expected to open in 2033 and the Birmingham to Manchester line will be in use by 2040.

HS2 provided the following statement: "We are working hard to reduce disruption during construction and we hold regular meetings with Rob Butler and his team to discuss up-coming works and individual cases.

“Property cases are often complex, and while certain elements of the detailed design process are still ongoing, we do not believe that any of his constituents have been misled.

“We are not aware of any works in his constituency that have been started without the correct permissions in place."

[VIDEO BELOW: MP for Aylesbury, Rob Butler speaking in the House of Commons]